If you're picking between Shipt and DoorDash for grocery delivery, the right choice depends on what you're optimizing for: store selection (DoorDash wins on breadth), unlimited delivery (Shipt wins on membership economics), and on-demand speed (DoorDash wins on tight metro markets). This guide covers every dimension that matters and gives a clear recommendation by use case.
If you'd rather compare with Instacart instead, see Shipt vs Instacart for Customers.
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What's in this guide
- The verdict at a glance
- Store selection comparison
- Pricing & membership economics
- Fees per order
- Delivery speed and reliability
- SNAP/EBT support
- App quality and ordering experience
- Which one fits you best
- FAQ
The verdict at a glance
| Shipt | DoorDash | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Frequent grocery buyers, weekly shoppers | Occasional grocery + restaurant delivery |
| Membership | $99/year (unlimited free delivery) | DashPass $9.99/month (eligible orders only) |
| Per-order delivery fee (no membership) | $9.99-$14.99 | $1.99-$5.99 |
| Store selection (groceries) | ~150 retailers, including Target | 500+ restaurants, big grocery |
| Unique advantage | Personal shopper relationship; quality | Speed + breadth (food + grocery) |
| Free trial | 14 days | DashPass free trial available |
| Pickup option | No (delivery only) | Yes (no delivery fee) |
| Big advantage | Best for serious household grocery delivery | Best when you also want restaurant + grocery in one app |
The short version: - Frequent grocery shopper (3+ orders/month) → Shipt's unlimited-delivery membership pays off. - Occasional shopper or already DashPass member → DoorDash is simpler. - You want pickup option → DoorDash (Shipt is delivery-only). - You shop heavily at Target → Shipt has the deepest Target integration.
Store selection comparison
Shipt's grocery partners (representative): - Target (deepest integration; Shipt is owned by Target) - HEB - Kroger - Safeway / Albertsons - Publix - Costco (limited markets) - CVS, Petco, Office Depot, Meijer - Regional grocery chains
DoorDash's grocery partners: - Albertsons / Safeway / Vons / Sprouts - Whole Foods (some markets) - 7-Eleven / Wawa / Sheetz / convenience stores - Walmart Pharmacy & some store items - CVS, Walgreens - Aldi, Costco (some markets) - Target via DoorDash (some markets, but Shipt is the primary Target partner)
DoorDash has more total retailers when you count restaurants + groceries combined. For groceries-only, the lists overlap substantially. Where they differ: - Target shopping → strongly Shipt's territory. - Costco → both, with location-specific availability. - Aldi, Whole Foods → DoorDash's recent adds.
Pricing & membership economics
The math:
Shipt membership = $99/year - Unlimited free delivery on orders $35+ - Cost per month: ~$8.25 - Breakeven: 7 grocery orders/year (since each saves you ~$10-$15 in delivery + service fees)
DashPass membership = $9.99/month or $96/year - $0 delivery fee on eligible orders - Reduced service fee (typically by 50%+) - Breakeven: 1-2 orders/month
For pure grocery delivery: - 3+ orders/month: Shipt is cheaper per delivery (~$2.75/order vs. DashPass standard service fees). - 1-2 orders/month: DashPass is cheaper (lower fixed monthly cost). - Restaurant + grocery combined: DashPass wins because it covers both.
Fees per order
Without membership, per-order:
Shipt (no membership): - Delivery fee: $9.99 (Standard) to $14.99 (Express) - Service fee: included in delivery fee - Tip: customary, ~10-15% - Item markup: minimal (close to in-store prices) - Total typical premium: ~30% over in-store price
DoorDash (no DashPass): - Delivery fee: $1.99-$5.99 - Service fee: 10-15% of subtotal - Small order fee: $2 if under ~$12 - Regulatory response fee: $0.50-$5 (city-dependent) - Item markup: 5-15% over in-store price (varies) - Total typical premium: 25-40% over in-store price
DoorDash's fee structure is more granular but often nets to roughly the same percentage.
Delivery speed and reliability
Shipt: - Standard delivery: ~1-2 hours. - Express delivery: ~30-60 minutes (in supported markets, premium fee). - Personal shopper relationship: same shopper can become "your shopper." - Substitution quality: typically high — shoppers know your preferences over time.
DoorDash: - ASAP delivery: 30-60 minutes (most metro grocery partners). - Scheduled delivery: 1-2 hours from your chosen window. - Dasher relationship: rotating; no "regular shopper." - Substitution quality: variable — shopper picks based on real-time inventory.
Speed: DoorDash typically faster on small grocery orders. Shipt slower but with quality picking.
SNAP/EBT support
Shipt has expanded EBT support: - SNAP-eligible items at participating retailers (Target, Meijer, some others). - $4.99/month "Shipt Everyday" plan for SNAP recipients (bigger discount). - EBT card linked at checkout.
DoorDash also accepts SNAP/EBT at participating grocery partners. Coverage is broader but pricing is standard.
For full EBT details: - Does Shipt Take EBT? Complete Guide - How to Use SNAP/EBT on DoorDash
App quality and ordering experience
Shipt: - Cleaner UI focused on grocery stores. - Item-level customization easier. - Personal shopper messaging integrated. - Saved store preferences carry across orders.
DoorDash: - Multi-category (restaurants + groceries) in one app. - More complex UI but more flexible. - Tracking experience excellent. - Restaurant + grocery in same cart.
If grocery-only is your primary use case, Shipt's UI is calmer. If you want one app for everything, DoorDash.
Which one fits you best
Pick Shipt if: - You shop groceries 3+ times per month. - You shop heavily at Target, Meijer, HEB, or other Shipt-exclusive partners. - You value relationship continuity with the same shopper. - You like the unlimited-delivery membership economics.
Pick DoorDash if: - You order restaurants more often than groceries. - You also want pickup option (Shipt is delivery-only). - You're already a DashPass member. - You order from Aldi, Whole Foods, or convenience stores frequently.
Use both if: - You want maximum store selection — Shipt for Target/Meijer, DoorDash for everything else. - The combined membership cost is roughly $200/year, which still saves vs paying per-order delivery fees on 30+ orders.
Try Shipt → Try DoorDash →
FAQ
Is Shipt or DoorDash cheaper overall?
Depends on volume. Shipt's $99/year unlimited beats DoorDash's $96/year DashPass when you order groceries 3+ times monthly. For occasional ordering, DoorDash's pay-per-order can be cheaper.
Can I order alcohol from both?
Both support alcohol delivery in legal states with age verification at the door.
Which delivers faster?
DoorDash typically. Shipt's shopping process is more personal but slower.
Can I tip the same shopper repeatedly?
Shipt: yes — preferred shoppers stay assigned. DoorDash: no — Dashers rotate per delivery.
Which has better pickup?
DoorDash offers pickup at most participating restaurants and stores. Shipt is delivery-only.
Can I use coupons / promo codes on both?
Yes. Each app has its own promo code system. See Shipt Promo Codes and DoorDash Promo Codes.
Is Uber Eats also an option for groceries?
Uber Eats is expanding into groceries but more limited. See Shipt vs Uber Eats Customer Comparison for a head-to-head, or try the Uber Eats $20-off referral directly.
Can I order from multiple stores in one cart?
No — each cart is from one store on both apps.
Which is better for last-minute orders?
DoorDash for ASAP. Shipt for scheduled.
Which handles substitutions better?
Shipt — personal shoppers and continuity tend to give better subs. DoorDash varies more.
Related reading:
- Is Shipt Worth It?
- Shipt vs Instacart for Customers
- Shipt vs Uber Eats Customer Comparison
- Shipt Free Trial Guide
- How Shipt Works at Target
- Is DashPass Worth It?
Important Disclaimers — DoorDash Driver/Dasher Affiliate Disclosure:
Dashers are independent contractors (1099), not DoorDash employees. Becoming a Dasher is subject to background check and availability in your market. Dash availability and the ability to dash anytime are subject to local market demand and any waitlists. DasherDirect is subject to approval. Fast Pay availability and fees apply. Sign-up incentives, earnings boosts (including alcohol-delivery and other Peak Pay opportunities), and any cited dollar amounts vary by market and are not guaranteed: earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders is provider language; actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90-day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives. We may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up to Dash through a link on this page; the application process and pricing are the same. Not financial, legal, or tax advice — consult your own CPA or fiduciary advisor for your specific situation.